Taking Anat & Phys I and scared "crapless"

Mommy2NQ · Jan 15, 2008

I took A&P I last semester and true it is alot of info. My advice is study everyday if possible and dont let yourself get behind. It is alot of memorizing and the most difficulty I had was with the names of muscles. Buy flashcards and make sure you get to open lab for extra study time. It may seem like you will forget some things but im sure it comes back to you in the long run. Good luck and dont be nervous.

will18 · Jan 15, 2008

Hi Brian,

I am also taking anatomy and physiology this semester and it does seem like a like of information. The syllabus that our teacher gave us presented all the information that we will need to know on our exams. So, my advice to you is make flash cards and study them all the time when you can. Also, use your books website if there is one to help you understand concepts. Also, i record everything i need to know on a digital voice recorder and listen to it in my free time while walking on campus or in between classes. So between studying flash cards and listening constantly to the information, the better i will retain the information. I hope these are some good ideas for you and good luck with a&p 1 to a future nurse.

Will18

bekindtokittens · Jan 17, 2008

The study suggestions were all great. I recommend making your own flashcards as opposed to buying pre-made ones. The action of writing the info down was a great way to study for me and helped the material "stick" in my brain.

I made it through my A&P classes with A's, and let me tell you, there is no way you will retain ALL the information after the class is over. My advice to you is to keep all your textbooks instead of selling them back once the class is over. I kept mine, and I use them frequently as references while I am in nursing school.

Good luck!

AmericanRN · Jan 18, 2008

Hey fellow students,
Im finishing up my prereqs hoping to get into clinicals and Im pretty nervous about the current class Im taking, Anat & Phys. It is so much information and my professor seems to be moving at a rapid pace. Im afraid because it's tough for me to retain information. My greatest fear is getting into my nursing classes and forgetting most of what I've learned in this course. Any suggestions? Im assuming I have to know EVERYTHING taught in this class once I start my nursing courses. HELP!!!
Brian

You cannot retain everything. I was terrifed as well in A & P I and II but I got through it. What I found later is that things I had thought I forgot I did not. Certain things begin to mesh together as I learned more and more and I would be like ohhhhhhh thats right.

I used flash cards both premade (my mother bought those I had no money left for that) I also made my own, I've also made photocopies of pictures of veins, or other structures and colored them in as I would try to piece together what went with what and why or how.

There is no set way to study or learn it. One of my study partners only understood lecture once she was in lab and could touch bones, or sheep hearts or what have you. She "felt" her way though anatomy and ended up with an A lecture and lab and 2 years straight a 4.0 GPA.

I've also heard of people sticking post it notes or flashcards on their little children and studied right off their body while the kids thought it was a game. All kinds "thinking outside the box" will occur with this particular subject.

onyx77 · Jan 18, 2008

Pay attention in class and take good notes. Review your notes when you get home - this will help you retain the information. Also make notecards and go over them frequently. I felt the same way when I was in A&P but I managed an A. Just remember that all of this information is needed when you get to your nursing classes, but you will not remember EVERYTHING! Find what works for you and go with it. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do just fine!

AmericanRN · Jan 18, 2008

Pay attention in class and take good notes. Review your notes when you get home - this will help you retain the information. Also make notecards and go over them frequently. I felt the same way when I was in A&P but I managed an A. Just remember that all of this information is needed when you get to your nursing classes, but you will not remember EVERYTHING! Find what works for you and go with it. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do just fine!

The good note taking was a good suggestion. My teacher (had him for A & P I & II and Micro lecture) did his lecture tests straight from his lecture and very little from the book itself.

He also allowed us to tape record his lectures. I have used this method with any teacher who allowed it and then I would listen to the recorder at home and check it against what I had already written in my notes. Many times I had missed a whole sentence or had to go the bathroom or whatever so the recorder helped me catch every word.

I would suggest asking permission of the instructor prior to voice recording. Where I live it is illegal to tape record anyone's voice without their permission no matter what the recording is for.

nicole2650 · Jan 19, 2008

I totally agree with the ones who told you to use flashcards, and make your own. I supposedly had the hardest instructor in A&P at my school but still made A's. After everyday of class use your notes/book to make flashcards of what you learned. Look at these everyday. If you're waiting in line, take out your flashcards. If you're sitting at a doctor/car/hair/whatever appointment, take out your cards. If you're watching TV, take out your cards during commercials. Also, I don't know what text you are using but mine had a My A&P lab online. If yours does, DO THIS! I was on this site ALL the time. There's practice quizzes, flashcards, annimations, matching, games, all kinds of stuff for constant review. The more ways (and times) you are exposed to information, the more you'll remember. If you're text does not come with this, I think you can purchase it online. Good luck, don't panic!

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Jan 19, 2008

The way I remebered all the bones was to make up something about the part of the body that they are. Like parital bone- I part my hair to put on my head band. radial- I use my thumb to check the air presure in my tires (radial tires)... They may sound stupid to some people but if you make it relate to something that you do you can remember it easier. Also if your A&P book came with a CD check it out there's usually quizes and matching diagrams on there. My last A&P CD had the coloring pages that you could print or do online with a built paint program.